AFRICANA (1927)



Composer: Donald Heywood
Lyricist: Donald Heywood

Opened:
July 11, 1927, Daly’s Theatre, N.Y.C. and closing on August 16, 1927; reopened on August 20, 1927 at the National Theatre
Performances: 72


Chloe (M: Neil Moret; L: Gus Kahn) (added during the run):

I have not attempted to compile discological information for this song.


Clorinda:

1. 78/Perfect 14910 (Chicago Loopers with Quintette) [also 78/Path 36729; reissued as Bix Beiderbecke, Vol. 2: At the Jazz Band Ball, CD/Columbia CK-46175]
2. 78/Edison 52121 (The Rollickers)
3. 78/Columbia master number 144407-1-2 (Ethel Waters) (unissued)
An unverified radio transcription performed by Richard Scott is also known to exist.


Dinah (M: Harry Akst; Sam M. Lewis) (added after opening):

I have not attempted to compile discological information for this standard beyond original cast member performances.
1. 78/Columbia 487 D (Ethel Waters and Her Plantation Orchestra) [reissued on Ethel Waters On Stage And Screen (1925-1940), CD/Columbia Special Products 75018]
2. 78/Continental C 10007 (Ethel Waters with the J.C. Heard Orchestra) [reissued on The Chronological Ethel Waters 1946-1947, CD/Classics 1249]
3. 78/Decca 234 A (Ethel Waters with orchestra) [reissued on The Complete Decca Recordings, Swingtime ST-1031]
4. Miss Ethel Waters, Monmouth 6812 (Ethel Waters)
5. Ethel Waters On The Air, Totem 1041 (Ethel Waters)


I’m Coming Virginia (L: Will Marion Cook; Donald Heywood) (added after opening; previously used in MISS CALICO):

I have not attempted to compile discological information for this standard beyond original cast member performances.
1. 78/Columbia 14170 D (Ethel Waters and Her Singing Orchestra conducted by Will Marion Cook) [reissued on Ethel Waters On Stage And Screen (1925-1940), CD/Columbia Special Products 75018]


My Special Friend Is Back In Town (M: James C. Johnson; L: Andy Razaf) (added after opening):

1. 78/Columbia 14182 D (Ethel Waters with piano) [reissued on The Chronological Ethel Waters 1926-1929, CD/Classics 688]


The Original Black Bottom Dance (M: Perry Bradford; L: Gus Horsley):

1. Complete Recorded Works In Chronological Order 1923-1927, CD/Document 5353 (Perry Bradford)


Shake That Thing (M/L: Papa Charlie Jackson) (added after opening):

I have not attempted to compile discological information for this standard beyond original cast member performances.
1. 78/Columbia 14116 D (Ethel Waters and Her Ebony Four) [reissued on The Incomparable Ethel Waters, CD/Columbia/Legacy 65852]



Smile:

1. 78/Columbia 14229 D (Ethel Waters with novelty accompaniment) [reissued on The Chronological Ethel Waters 1926-1929, CD/Classics 688]
2. 78/Gramophone B 5465 (Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra with vocal chorus) [also 78/Victor 21228]
3. 78/Brunswick 165 (Fred Elizalde and His Music) [reissued on The Best Of Fred Elizalde & His Anglo American Band, CD/Challenge Records 79011]
4. 78/Brunswick 3897 (Frank Sylvano with Paul Christensen and His Hotel Ft. Des Moines Orchestra)
5. 78/Brunswick 3922 (Bessie Brown with orchestra)
6. 78/ Banner 6130 (Irving Kaufman with the Majestic Dance Orchestra)


Take Your Black Bottom Outside:

1. 78/Columbia 14214 D (Ethel Waters with novelty accompaniment) [reissued on The Chronological Ethel Waters 1926-1929, CD/Classics 688]
2. 78/Okeh 8461 (Sara Martin with the Clarence Williams Blue Five) [also 78/Hot Jazz Club HC 125; reissued on The Chronological Clarence Williams 1927, CD/Classics 736]
3. 78/Okeh 8462 (Clarence Williams, vocal, with Clarence Williams' Washboard Five) [also 78/Hot Jazz Club HC 125; reissued on The Chronological Clarence Williams 1927, CD/Classics 736]
4. Jazz Lips, CD/Lake (The West Jesmond Rhythm Kings


Weary Feet:

1. 78/Columbia 14214 D (Ethel Waters with novelty accompaniment) [reissued on The Chronological Ethel Waters 1926-1929, CD/Classics 688]


You Can’t Do What My Last Man Did (M/L: James C. Johnson) (added after opening):

1. 78/Columbia 14112 D (Ethel Waters and Her Ebony Four) [reissued on The Chronological Ethel Waters 1926-1929, CD/Classics 688]
2. 78/Black Swan 14151 (Ethel Waters with James C. Johnson, piano) [reissued on The Chronological Ethel Waters 1923-1925, CD/Classics 775]
3. 78/Victor 19123 (James C. Johnson, piano) [reissued on Harlem Stride Piano 1921-1929, CD/EPM 158952]
4. 78/Okeh 4935 (Mamie Smith) [reissued on Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 3, CD/Document 5359]
5. 78/Path 021062 (Maggie Jones with  F.H. Henderson, Jr., piano) [reissued on Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 1 (1923-1925), CD/Document DOCD 5348]
6. Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 1: Messin’ Around With The Blues, CD/JSP 927 (Alberta Hunter with Fats Waller) (two renditions)
7. Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 1: Messin’ Around With The Blues, CD/JSP 927 (Anna Jones with Fats Waller)
8. The Alternative Takes, Vol. 1: 1923-1929, CD/Network RP 2003 (Anna Jones with Fats Waller)
9. Classic Jazz From Rare Piano Rolls, CD/Biograph BCD-104 (Fats Waller)
10. Recorded 1959-1961, CD/Storyville 1018376 (Donald Lambert)


Unrecorded Material:

Africana Stomp
Black Cargo
Bugle Blues (dance)
The Cake Walk Strut (not in program)
Dance Of The Tambourines
Grand Finale
Here Come My Show Boat (added during the run)
The Old-Fashioned Cakewalk
Shine ‘Em Up! (added during the run)
A Step A Second (specialty)
Tap Black Bottom Dance (added during the run)
Time Ain’t Very Long